President Jokowi Reveals Hopes for ASEAN-US Future Relations

President Jokowi attends the ASEAN-US Summit virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Tuesday (26/10). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed three hopes regarding the future relations between ASEAN and the United States (US) during his speech at the 9th ASEAN-US Summit.

First, the ASEAN-US relations must be able to strengthen stability and peace in the region.

“Excellencies, we want to continue to see our region become a region of peace and stability. I am sure that there will be no peace and stability in Asia without the role of ASEAN,” said the President who attended the summit virtually from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java province, Tuesday (26/10).

According to the President, the key is to respect international law, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), as well as other norms and laws.

In this regard, concrete cooperation to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in an open and inclusive manner is vital. Through concrete cooperation, a great trust, which will naturally support stability and peace, will develop.

“ASEAN hopes that the US can become one of the main partners in implementing the four priorities of AOIP cooperation in maritime affairs, connectivity, SDGs, and investment and trade,” he said.

Second, the ASEAN-US partnership must be able to become an important pillar of post-pandemic economic recovery. According to the President, the issue of supply chain that is not well diversified has exacerbated disruption at a time of crisis.

“In the future, ASEAN is ready to become an important part of the world trade supply chain. Economic integration is clearly a strength for ASEAN to become part of the world supply chain,” he added.

In addition, partnerships in a green and sustainable economy must be a priority in the ASEAN-US partnership, including in the fields of technology and energy transformation.

Approaching the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, the debate on increasing the commitment of each country is very prominent. The President considered this debate as important to be put in the context of sustainable development.

“This debate must also be supported by a commitment to work together to fulfill commitments. That way, we can use our energy to tackle climate change issues together and not waste energy blaming each other,” he said.

Third, strengthening health cooperation. The pandemic has awakened the importance of investing in the health sector. The development of national health resilience will be the basic capital of global health resilience.

“The supply chain for the production of medicines, vaccines, and medical devices must be diversified, including in the Southeast Asian region,” said the President.

Furthermore, President Jokowi explained that ASEAN is currently building a new health architecture. ASEAN hopes that the US will become one of the main partners in ASEAN’s health resilience development.

“Finally, I would like to express my appreciation for the US vaccine support of more than 30 million doses, to ASEAN countries. Efforts to achieve equal access to vaccines for all countries will be the key to speeding the world out of the pandemic,” he said.

For the record, Indonesia is currently the coordinator of the ASEAN-US cooperation. President Jokowi was given the first opportunity to speak to deliver a summary of the ASEAN Joint Statement. (Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/MMB)